That Place

I have always wanted to go to

that place,

as a child I had seen it in a picture book.

Now, years later I stood where

that photographer stood.

The image he had taken

was so burned into my mind,

with the lush vegetation leading down

to a wide sandy beach where the gentle

waves touched the shore.

Off to the side was a thatched roofed cottage

enclosed by a rock wall and wooden gate;

a deep rutted dirt road ran in front,

where two older women stood talking,

no doubt discussing,

the beauty of their surroundings.

The whole scene was wrapped in brilliant

sky blue with white billowy clouds

that stretched from horizon to horizon.

As I stood there, it was as if everything had vanished,

and in its place someone had erected

tall apartment buildings

with blacktopped roads leading to

who knows where.

The beach was no longer,

in its place was a parking lot.

The ocean, now angry as it

beat against the concrete sea wall

meant to hold it at bay.

I too, was equally sad,

as the dreams of my youth

had been wiped away.

By David Painter

From: United States

Instagram: painterphotoghpy